Craft Project

I just LOVE how our latest craft project turned out. They were pretty easy to make, once we found a place to cut the vinyl. SO CUTE!! Thanks Sarah and A.I Paper for the lovely idea....

Today we didn't have time to work on any thing in the kitchen but the counter guys came and measured. I also had to call IKEA several times because 1) We are missing pieces from our order that we paid for. 2) Pieces we thought that were ordered and paid for ended up being Out Of Stock and never got ordered so we had to follow up on that. 3) The dishwasher panel is a bit off so we need to get it looked at.FUN times!

So while I was doing all this K was having a BLAST with her watercolor paints...
























































Yep, the Tinkerbell Fairy wanted to be all green! Luckily it was just watercolor paint so it washed right off. Little STINKER!!

Day 18-19

WOW! Things are looking SO GOOD if I do say so myself =) We got so much done this weekend so now we can really see how everything is laid out. We finally have all the right tools too (air compressor, cordless drill, etc.) so putting together every thing went so smoothly.



















We got everything assembled:



















We hung up one of the rails and put up a few uppers. All of the IKEA stuff is really modular so it just slides on the rail so you can adjust things as needed. Its pretty neat!




























We got all the bases in, leveled and the island in! I cant believe all the space we have. It is so amazing. I just love the tile more and more too.





















































We even got the corner cabinet in around all the plumbing. That was going to be our tricky spot and it went great! Jer did a great job cutting out the holes and then it slid/dropped right in.



















We ended up going with a squared off corner cabinet and then we are doing a fancy corner sink. It was just going to be too crazy to move all the plumbing and it will work better with the island,. It should be really neat!





























So tomorrow the guys come to make the template for the Granite countertops and then we'll have about 2 weeks to get everything done before they are installed. WOHOO!

Hooray!!

Well we are getting someplace at least.

Update from Baby Cheapskate:

According to an article in today's Tennessean, Suzanne Kay-Pittman, public relations and communications manager of Goodwill Industries, says the thrift store chain will "sit tight" in the face of upcoming CPSIA regulations: ""We're not going to overreact at this point. We don't know for sure what it all means. Do we have to throw everything away? How will it affect the big-box retailers, consignment stores?"

The article also quotes Consumer Product Safety Commission spokesperson Scott Wolfson as saying that the CPSC "is working on a 30-day comment period where we will hear from consumers, manufacturers, retailers, anybody affected by the act." Wolfson says that the CPSIA will go into effect on February 10 even though the specifics of the law will not be finalized by then. Wolfson says that the CPSC wants to hear from the public regarding how the CPSIA will affect them.

* * * * *

The CPSC has just released specific guidelines for the resale industry:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html

"Sellers of used children's products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards."... "The new safety law does not require resellers to test children's products in inventory for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold. However, resellers cannot sell children's products that exceed the lead limit and therefore should avoid products that are likely to have lead content, unless they have testing or other information to indicate the products being sold have less than the new limit. Those resellers that do sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties. "

So how will consignment stores and thrift stores obtain this "testing or other information" on their existing inventory? If they can't, they'll be forced to dump it. It sounds like there are still more questions that need to be answered. Either that, or I'm just in denial.

Keep writing and calling.
You're making a difference!

A Update: Goodwill Says They Will "Sit Tight"What can you do?

1) Email or call the CPSIA - the office of the CPSC ombudsman 888-531-9070.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx
Comments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30, 2009.
mailto:Sec102ComponentPartsTesting@cpsc.gov.

2) Email or snail mail your representatives.
http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/issues/alert/?alertid=12274476

3) Call your representatives. For their contact information just enter your zip code.
http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/dbq/officials/

4) Make your voice heard by voting on this issue. The top 3 in each category will be presented to President-elect Obama.
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

5) Sign the petition.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html

6) Spread the word! Write about this on your blog. Tell others about this issue and encourage them to do the same.

7) Join others in fighting this cause.
Facebook group
Twitter search
http://cpsia-central.ning.com/notes/Notes_Home

8) Join the etsy community in the virtual chat with CPSIA Small Business Ombudsmen or send a handmade children’s item that will become “hazardous goods” as of 2/9/09 to Bobby Rush, founder of H.R. 4040.
http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/handmade-childrens-items-unintended-consequences

Day 15-16

The range is in and I cooked spaghetti!! I love the stainless steel but it is already covered with fingerprints. It was shiny for 5 minutes. But I still love it!



This weekend we are in for quite a load of work but we are excited to mount some cupboards!

Warm and Cozy

This winter has been so cold so all I wanted for Christmas was a nice warm jacket. I started my hunt for a jacket in November. I saw a girl at a conference I attended with this gorgeous damask jacket. I asked her where she got it and she told me about Cherella and that it was from last year. So my OCD kicked in and I was on the hunt! It turns out Cherella is owned by 2 women from SLC so I was even more excited to support them and get this fabulous coat. I tried 3 stores, including one in Park City and I could not find it! Finally I emailed the owners and they said they had some in Boise. However, since it was from last year the photos were off of their website and they couldnt send me pictures. I just went with it and they ended up sending me 2 with a 30% discount. I got my box and couldnt wait until Christmas so I opened it immediately. I was SO DISAPPOINTED!! The jackets were not was I was looking for at all. The worst part too was the button holes on the jackets were completely shredded. It was terrible. So I returned them immediately and actuall just ended up dropping the box off myself because I didnt want to pay shipping since they are in SLC any ways. But now I am STILL waiting for my refund! It's been almost a month. I really did want to support this local company but I am so disappointed. I am going to give it another week and then I am just going to dispute the charges with Visa. I just dont get it....

But I still wanted a jacket! So during all of this Jer was on the hunt too and he found me the perfect jacket. Gotta love Patagucci! (a.k.a Patagonia)






















It is the softest warmest down parka ever! It is like wearing a cuddly blanket around. So now I am warm in the chilly weather and I will be better prepared to face the winter weather in MN.



















LOW photo from my mom on 1.06.09 Just a little chilly!

Help save homemade goods...

...and of course my thrift store addiction!

http://momocrats.typepad.com/momocrats/2008/12/help-save-homem.html